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Kevin Manas

Bio

Kevin Manas is a South African audio engineer, studio owner and music publisher who has worked with some of the country's biggest acts. He is currently working with Mango Groove.

Manas started at the SABC and worked for 5 FM for a year as an on-air sound engineer. After leaving the SABC he went into partnership with well-known producer Emil Zogbhy at a music studio/production house called 8th Avenue Studio. The company later diversified by doing live shows for artists and 8th Avenue Sound was born. Manas then met Brenda Fasie’s manager, Peter Snyman, and began doing front of house (FOH) sound for the late South African icon. He has also worked with Lazarus Kgagudi and Step Ahead, among others.

Manas then started his own 16-track recording studio in Bree Street, Johannesburg. The studio was named Hi-Tech Sound, which Manas managed for about four years. Artist who recorded at the studio included Lazarus Kgagudi, Peta Teanet and PJ Powers.

Manas then took up the position of chief sound engineer and technical co-ordinator for the Lion Lager Road Show, specialising in open-air concerts. This operation, which ran for about eight years, catered for crowds of between 20 000 and 100 000 people at various outdoor venues. While working with the Lion Lager Road Show, Manas got the opportunity to work top South African artist such as Lucky Dube, Juluka, Sello 'Chicco' Twala, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Splash, Hotline, Condry Sigubu, Benjamin Ball, Mercy Pakela, Rabecca Malope, Blondie and many others.

Manas then began touring university campuses as cinemas FOH engineer for about six months and joined Tananas for a number of club gigs.

Around 2009 he became Mango Groove's exclusive sound engineer and toured the world with the band, visiting countries such as Germany, Hong Kong, Mauritius and many others. At the time he joined Mango Groove, Manas was co-producing in studio with John Leyden (bass player and songwriter for Mango Groove) on albums such as 'Rights Africa' as well as Claire Johnston’s 'Pennywhistle' album featuring the late Jack Laroele. He also worked on the 'National Rugby' album featuring Johnston and Jeff Maluleke.

The recordings were done at Hi-Tech Studio, which by now had relocated to Northcliff Hill, also in Johannesburg. Artists who have recorded at the new premises include Danny K, Alexis Faku, Bianca, Jae and Skwatta Kamp. Manas also recorded an album for Tamara Dey, on which he was one of the producers, as well as Fassie’s last album, 'Mali', before her death in 2004.

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